We all lost a great statesman in Ted Kennedy and we closed a huge chapter in American History by his passing. If you consider the length of time the Kennedy’s have been in the national scene it could almost add up to 25 percent of American History. Much has been written about this family from an enormously inspirational standpoint to deeply flawed issues in character. I am recalling Ted Kennedy’s eulogy for his brothers he said they were gifted in every way except for the gift of years. Ted became the only Kennedy to serve our country for 46 years in the Senate. While he couldn’t be president and he stood in the shadow of his two older brothers he has made his mark on the political landscape of our country. I have a lot of opinions about him however; let it suffice to be captured in this letter written to him by his sister in law Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
"There have been 17 children besides your own - Bobby's, Pat's, Jack's and mine, for whom you have always been there. Every graduation, every big decision, every trouble, every sad and even every happy day. On you, the carefree youngest brother, fell a burden a hero would beg to be spared. Sick parents, lost children, desolate wives. You are a hero. Everyone is going to make it, because you are always there with your love. Jackie."
He was given the gift of years unlike his brothers and he used it well.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Frank McCourt: Learning from the Teacher Man
A number of years ago I read the book, Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt. It was a riveting story and I couldn’t put it down. It chronicles McCourt’s life in the town of Limerick, Ireland, growing up with his alcoholic and abusive father and his strong-willed and doggedly determined mother who raised seven kids and struggled through the deaths of three of them.
I’ve been feeling sad ever since I heard the news of his death. He was a great writer and storyteller who allowed the reader as well as the rest of the world to know what he was thinking and what he had suffered through in this life.
What was so refreshing was that he wrote about all of the difficulties, hardships and even misery that were a part of his life in both Ireland and the United States, with a sense of humor. While sometimes his was a little wrier than most of us are used to, I always like my humor with twist of lime, some sarcasm seeping through.
And in his book, Teacher Man, he chronicles with brutal honesty what most teachers have to go through when they actually face students in the classroom.
Frank was made to order for a guy like me, both in his writings and when he spoke. I had the pleasure of listening to him at my daughter Allison’s graduation from Manhattanville College and, of course, his tongue was not tamed by the setting.
One thing I remember him saying as he addressed all of the would-be teachers looking into their futures, was that when he walked into classroom he used to say, “There is at least one person who will learn something in this class and that person is me.”
When I heard it, it brought a smile to my face because I’ve often pondered how much people have learned from me teaching them in Sunday School, confirmation class, adult forum, book studies and Bible classes. Hmmm ... I suppose it’s best not to do follow up on that. But I will say that I have learned immensely from every classroom setting I’ve been in.
My only regret is that I came upon this realization somewhat late in the game. As the old saying goes, “If I only knew then what I know now, who knows, I could be president.” (Hahaha.)
I do know one thing that the old admonitions from kindergarten stop, look and listen still apply. You’re never too old to learn and to grow. It’s too bad that many people think they’ve arrived and you can see the calcification taking place in their minds as you converse with them. Whether it’s literature, travel, theology or just a lively conversation, a new horizon can appear in your mind is widened by the encounter.
I’ve been feeling sad ever since I heard the news of his death. He was a great writer and storyteller who allowed the reader as well as the rest of the world to know what he was thinking and what he had suffered through in this life.
What was so refreshing was that he wrote about all of the difficulties, hardships and even misery that were a part of his life in both Ireland and the United States, with a sense of humor. While sometimes his was a little wrier than most of us are used to, I always like my humor with twist of lime, some sarcasm seeping through.
And in his book, Teacher Man, he chronicles with brutal honesty what most teachers have to go through when they actually face students in the classroom.
Frank was made to order for a guy like me, both in his writings and when he spoke. I had the pleasure of listening to him at my daughter Allison’s graduation from Manhattanville College and, of course, his tongue was not tamed by the setting.
One thing I remember him saying as he addressed all of the would-be teachers looking into their futures, was that when he walked into classroom he used to say, “There is at least one person who will learn something in this class and that person is me.”
When I heard it, it brought a smile to my face because I’ve often pondered how much people have learned from me teaching them in Sunday School, confirmation class, adult forum, book studies and Bible classes. Hmmm ... I suppose it’s best not to do follow up on that. But I will say that I have learned immensely from every classroom setting I’ve been in.
My only regret is that I came upon this realization somewhat late in the game. As the old saying goes, “If I only knew then what I know now, who knows, I could be president.” (Hahaha.)
I do know one thing that the old admonitions from kindergarten stop, look and listen still apply. You’re never too old to learn and to grow. It’s too bad that many people think they’ve arrived and you can see the calcification taking place in their minds as you converse with them. Whether it’s literature, travel, theology or just a lively conversation, a new horizon can appear in your mind is widened by the encounter.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Take Five – Reflections on Dave Brubeck
Recently I was watching an interview with jazz great Dave Brubeck. He is now deep into his 80ies and still playing. The story of many jazz musicians is that they die young, have huge addictions to cocaine and other drugs, and leave a trail of broken relationships. Many of the biographies, such as Charlie Parker, Billy Strayhorn, Stan Getz, and others, are simply tragic stories of talented people dying way before their time. So, as I looked at this old man and his wife of nearly 60 years, I saw this picture of someone who not only loved music and continues to love it and perform, but also someone who made the right choices in a world of dark joints and surrounded by a world of shady people. So, here we have his wonderful wife, six children, and a whole trail of a person who created great music and stands as an inspiration to all of us on a personal level.
What I also find interesting is that in 1980 he became a Catholic. He claims he was “nothing” before that, but it was perhaps the invitation to write a jazz mass entitled “To Hope” that brought him into his deep encounter with the Christian faith. I could tell from the interview that when it came to his faith, he knew what he was talking about. This is not a person who joins anything easily, without thorough examination. To hear him talk about the Eucharist and receiving bread and wine with joy almost caused my mouth to fly open with astonishment.
Dave Brubeck is about hopeful music. He sees music as enriching, but religious music as transforming. Every time he sees a church, he wonders if the music is hopeful and uplifting. I guess going to church is like “taking five”, a few minutes of your week for inspiration.
What I also find interesting is that in 1980 he became a Catholic. He claims he was “nothing” before that, but it was perhaps the invitation to write a jazz mass entitled “To Hope” that brought him into his deep encounter with the Christian faith. I could tell from the interview that when it came to his faith, he knew what he was talking about. This is not a person who joins anything easily, without thorough examination. To hear him talk about the Eucharist and receiving bread and wine with joy almost caused my mouth to fly open with astonishment.
Dave Brubeck is about hopeful music. He sees music as enriching, but religious music as transforming. Every time he sees a church, he wonders if the music is hopeful and uplifting. I guess going to church is like “taking five”, a few minutes of your week for inspiration.
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